Peach tree named &#39;Sweetregal&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white peach tree, denominated ‘SWEETREGAL’, has a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color on a washed-pink red ground. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2010/0499 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica L. Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘SWEETREGAL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white peach tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘SWEETREGAL’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, large fruit with very good eating quality, flesh fruit for fresh market in early August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘MASNOW’ (non-patented), ‘SWEETLOVE’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/382,096) peach trees, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘SWEETREGAL’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has a semi-late period flowering, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘SWEETREGAL’ peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested. The male parent is ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330), yellow nectarine tree with a very attractive fruit of a round shape and a bright red blush color. The female parent ‘MALATEWHITE’ (non-patented) is a white peach tree with a well-balanced flavor. ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330) was obtained by seedling. The male parent is ‘ZAITABO’ (Big Top®) nectarine tree and the female parent is ‘ARMKING’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarine tree. ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330) blooms in March in South of France. More particularly, it blooms at the same time as ‘NECTAROSS’ or ‘MAILLARMATE’, and 3 days after ‘ZAITABO’ (Big Top®) between the 7^(th) and 21^(st) of March. The first fruit of ‘NECTACHIEF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330) ripens in early July, approximately 6 days after ‘ZAITABO’ (Big Top®). More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 4^(th) and 13^(th) of July. ‘MALATEWHITE’ (non-patented) is a white peach variety with a good presentation and a well-balanced flavor. The maturity period begins usually in early September in the South of France climatic conditions. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white peach tree ‘SWEETREGAL’ blooms in early March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The flowering period is considered as semi-late in the South of France.

The first fruit of ‘SWEETREGAL’ ripens in early August, around 2 weeks later than ‘SWEETLOVE’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/382,096) variety. More particularly it ripens between the 1^(st) of August and the 13^(th) of August.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and size view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that depicts a close view of two typical fruits on tree, at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘SWEETREGAL’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-late in springtime. The type of flower is showy, with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is considered medium. The fruit flesh is white with a red pigmentation in the stone cavity. Fruit skin is very thick, of bright purple red color on a washed-pink red ground. The stone is of small to medium size and the flesh is more or less adherent according to the maturity stage. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘MASNOW’ (non-patented) the blooming period is earlier of approximately 6 days. The maturity period is considered as similar but more pooled. The fruit is semi-sweet and potentially larger so the thinning must be reduced.

Compared to ‘SWEETLOVE’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/382,096) the maturity is later of 2 weeks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white peach tree, the following has been observed during the second fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been made on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium to high as compared to other common commercial             peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was             approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50             meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80             meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and             next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters with             current seasons shots length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was             oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines             spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same             tree line.         -   Vigor.—Strongly vigorous. The present variety grew from             about 60.0 centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during             the first and following growing seasons. For second and             following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate             height of 2.50 meters.         -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Considered very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3             was necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be             too important because of the high magnifying potential of             the fruit.         -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored             with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on             different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised             between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of             the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained             temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was             also very resistant to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 6.0 centimeters and 7.0             centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately             30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second             growing season.         -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the             second growing season. The lenticels range in size from             approximately 0.2 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to 0.5             centimeters in width.         -   Lentical color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a             silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside             surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C-D).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 C             to RHS BLACK 202 C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to thick for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0             millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing             season have a diameter comprised between 9.0 and 16.0             millimeters.         -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is             several years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 80             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Internode length.—Generally 26.0 millimeters to 35.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B).         -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips             is considered a pale yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A-C)             on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is             colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE GROUP             187 A-B to GREYED RED 182 A) following the position on the             shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,             current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio             leaf length/leaf width is above 3.58.         -   Leaf length.—From 148.0 to 179.0 millimeters with leaf             petiole. Average length of 157.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—From 36.0 to 49.0 millimeters. Average width of             44.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal             axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Tip form.—Acuminate, small. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark green (RHS GREEN 137 A) .         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B-C) than the             upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145             C-D) and evolves with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one             or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 7.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN             144 A-B) and light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B) on the             lower surface. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 2.0             millimeters.         -   Number.—Generally 2, sometimes 2 to 4.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered pale             green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers: -   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-D to GREY BROWN             GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is generally of             medium pink color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B-C). Petals color             shows an evolution until the end of blooming.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,             with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The             current variety has not been intentionally subjected to             drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good             resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an             average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks             in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally early March. The first bloom was             observed on Mar. 6, 2005. Second to fourth blooms took place             respectively on Mar. 1, 2006, Mar. 4, 2009 and Mar. 22,             2010.         -   Blooming time.—Considered semi-late in relative comparison             to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The date of full             bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period. The             date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and             cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 7 to 9 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at             full bloom is approximately 30.0 to 38.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 40             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1. -   Petal:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 17.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, sweet, glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Medium pink (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B-D) when young,             darkening with advancing senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Soft. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slightly rounded tip.         -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally complete at the             tip and round. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average             length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Brown to light brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C-D). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The inner surface of the calyx is considered of             washed-green yellow (RHS YELLOW 13 A-B to YELLOW GREEN 150             A-B) color. The outer surface is purple brown (RHS GREYED             PURPLE 183 A-D). -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Medium. Ovoid shape.         -   Color.—Flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-B).         -   Stamens per flower.—Average 40 stamens per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Medium.         -   Color.—Yellow orange red color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 16 A-B).             Anthers are becoming brown (RHS GREYED RED 178 A) at             maturity. The color evolves with flowering.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B-C). The present variety is             auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 9.0 to 11.0             millimeters in length.         -   Color.—Considered pale pink (RHS RED PURPLE 62 C-D to RED             PURPLE 73 A-B). The color is evolving with flowering. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Length.—Approximately from 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters             including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D to             RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 D). The color is evolving with             flowering.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous. -   Fruits:     -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 3, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 13, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, with a homogeneous size between             them.         -   Average cheek diameter.—From 75.0 to 80.0 millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—From 65.0 millimeters 75.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 250.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round to slightly elevated. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.         -   Fruit suture.—Very shallow, extending from the base to the             apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the             suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the blush fruit             color, a bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A-C) on a             red ground (RHS RED 47 A-B). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Not prominent, sometimes very slightly marked, very             small.         -   Base.—Semi-flared. Shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 11.0             millimeters. Average width is about 20.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious             to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.         -   Texture.—Very thin and pubescent, almost glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.         -   Tendency to crack.—None. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a homogenous bright purple             red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A-C). The red blush covers 70% to             90% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush             on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally             dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the             fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color is washed-pink red (RHS RED             47 A-B) on 10% to 30% of the fruit. The percentage of the             ground color of the fruit skin surface can vary, and is             generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under             which the fruit was grown.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A-B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenous, slow, very evenly.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious, and juicy             at harvesting maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, sweet and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised between 6             and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy and             aromatic.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 A-B to WHITE N155 D)             usually with a red pigmentation (RHS RED PURPLE 61 B-C) in             the stone cavity. Some pigmentation points of a red color in             the fruit flesh can be observed. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent according to the             fruit maturity.         -   Stone cavity.—Medium, with an ovoid form and dimensions             corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Size.—Considered small to medium for the variety. The stone             size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,             crop load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—From 29.0 to 32.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—From 22.0 to 23.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—From 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is sharp and prominent. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is purple brown (RHS             GREYED PURPLE N186 C to 187 A-B) with some zones of light             brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 174 B-C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—About 17.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 12.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Slightly pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE             164 A-B to 165 B). The almond is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155             B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘SWEETREGAL’ is considered to be a             white peach tree of the semi-early season of maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered large, firm, and             attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked             consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh             quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than             one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well             more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They             have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the             tree after growth completion and after harvesting without             alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin             damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at             2° degree Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low             sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to             conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong             skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct white peach tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color on a washed-pink red ground. 